EP1024383A1 - Complex cables for under-floor wiring - Google Patents
Complex cables for under-floor wiring Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1024383A1 EP1024383A1 EP00400218A EP00400218A EP1024383A1 EP 1024383 A1 EP1024383 A1 EP 1024383A1 EP 00400218 A EP00400218 A EP 00400218A EP 00400218 A EP00400218 A EP 00400218A EP 1024383 A1 EP1024383 A1 EP 1024383A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fiber
- optic
- cable
- wire
- optic cable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4415—Cables for special applications
- G02B6/4416—Heterogeneous cables
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B11/00—Communication cables or conductors
- H01B11/22—Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a complex cable adapted for being wired under office floors, building floors or the like.
- the complex cable of the invention is an improved version of the data-transmission cables known in the prior art and used in under-floor wiring.
- offices have become the main target for applying automation technologies, the so-called "office automation” technologies.
- the floors have to be designed so as to provide wiring spaces.
- the base floors of offices are often covered with panels of a given thickness and tile carpets. These panels and tile carpets are arranged side-by-side and head-to-tail, and form a "double-floor structure".
- the system of this construction is often called a "free access floor system”.
- the panel described above may be a floor panel 1 having a square shape (viewed from the top) with a given thickness, as shown in FIG. 1.
- This floor panel 1 may be defined by crossing channel portions 4 so as to form, for example, four unitary panel portions 2 having a substantially square shape and integrally bonded to each other via link portions 3.
- Each of the channel portions 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and a given width, and runs between two unitary panel portions 2.
- the channel portion 4 can thus serve as wiring paths.
- the upper longitudinal side of the channel portions 4, corresponding to the upper side lines of unitary panel portions 2, are provided with steps 5.
- the channel portions 4 may then be covered with rectangular trench covers 6 or cross-like trench covers 7 by using the steps 5 as rests, so that the top openings of channel portions 4 can be closed.
- a floor panel 1 thus formed defines a square (viewed from the top) and the flat floor surface comprises a plurality of unitary panel portions 2 and a plurality of trench covers 6 and 7.
- a plurality of floor panels 1 are assembled in turn side-by-side and head-to-tail, so that the channel portions 4 extend continuously in crossed directions and form extended channel portions 8.
- Various kinds of cables may be wired through the channel portions 8. They include communications cable units 9 respectively incorporating a plurality of communications cables for data transmission, fiber-optic cables 10 (FIG. 3), electric source cables or the like.
- FIG. 2 shows a type of communications cable unit 9 containing a plurality of data transmission cables, e.g. twin-type data transmission cables 17.
- twin-type data transmission cables 17 are manufactured as follows. There is first provided an electrical wire 13 consisting of a conductive element 11 such as copper, and secondly an insulating coating 12 made of polyethylene (PE) or the like surrounding the conductive element 11. A pair of electrical wires 13 prepared in this way is twisted to form a twin-wire strand 14. Four pairs of twin-wire strands 14 are then wrapped with a plastic tape 15 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PE. The wrapped twin-wire strands 14 are subsequently coated with a sheath 16 made of poly (vinylchloride), i.e. PVC, or the like.
- PE polyethylene terephthalate
- the communications cable unit 9 also comprises an interposition member 18 extending along its axial center line.
- the interposition member 18 is then surrounded by six groups of such twin-type data transmission cables 17 in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the member. Subsequently, the interposition member 18 and the twin-type data transmission cables 17 are packed with a plastic tape 19 to yield a communications cable unit 9 having an outer diameter of around 15 mm.
- the communications cable units 9 described above are often used for short distance communications, e.g. on a one-conductor one-circuit basis.
- the system is particularly suited for the communications in a same office or building.
- FIG. 3 shows a known fiber-optic cable 10 which contains inter alia a pair of fiber-optic cords 24.
- a fiber-optic cord 24 optical fibers are first covered with a nylon or UV-hardened resin layer, to form a fiber-optic wire 21.
- the fiber-optic cord 24 comprises a fiber-optic wire 21 thus prepared, a buffer material layer 22 made of aramide fibers, surrounding the fiber-optic wire 21, and a coating made of PVC, surrounding the buffer material layer 22.
- the fiber-optic cable 10 contains a tension member 26 extending along its axial center line, as well as a pair of interposition members 25 made of PP yarns or PVC threads.
- the tension member 26 is surrounded by the pair of fiber-optic cords 24 and the pair of interposition members 25 in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the member. They are then wrapped with a taping cloth 27. The outer circular surface of taping cloth 27 is further covered with a sheath 28 made of PVC or the like, to give an outer diameter of about 10 mm.
- the fiber-optic cables 10 are commonly used for long distance communications, for example, on a one-fiber multiple-transmission basis.
- the system is particularly suitable for the communications between companies, or between head office and its branch offices.
- an optical cable 10 can be forcibly wired while a wire path has not enough space and the optical cable 10 receives a lateral stress. This lateral stress usually causes a transmission loss.
- An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a complex communications cable for under-floor wiring which incorporates data transmission cables and fiber-optic cables.
- a complex cable for under-floor wiring incorporating at least one fiber-optic cable and a plurality of communications cables for data transmission.
- the fiber-optic cable comprises at least one fiber-optic wire and a first tightening member assembling the at least one fiber-optic wire.
- the plurality of communications cables for data transmission respectively comprise at least one twin-wire strand and a second tightening member assembling the at least one twin-wire strand.
- the at least one fiber-optic cable is surrounded by the plurality of communications cables for data transmission in a substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the fiber-optic cable.
- the fiber-optic cable and the plurality of communications cables for data transmission are then assembled by a third tightening member.
- the at least one fiber-optic cable includes at least one interposition member provided in a substantially parallel relation over the length of the at least one fiber-optic wire, and the at least one fiber-optic wire and the at least one interposition member are assembled by the first tightening member.
- the above-mentioned first, second and third tightening members may respectively comprise a plastic tape.
- the at least one fiber-optic wire comprises one optical fiber as a core optical element, but it may comprise also a plurality of optical fibers.
- FIG. 4 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a complex cable 31 for under-floor wiring according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- the complex cable 31 first comprises a fiber-optic cable 32 along its axial zone.
- the fiber-optic cable 32 is then surrounded by a plurality of communications cables for data transmission 33 (6 groups in the present embodiment) in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the cable 32. All the cables are then packed with a plastic tape 34 made of PET or PE.
- the entirety of the fiber-optic cable 32 and communications cables for data transmission 33 forms a single unit of complex cable 31 in accordance with the invention.
- the fiber-optic cable 32 comprises a tension member 36 at its axial zone.
- the latter is surrounded by a pair of fiber-optic cords 37 and a pair of interposition members 38, each cord 37 and each member 38 alternating, in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the tension member 36. All of the members and cords are then integrally packed with a tightening member such as a plastic tape 39.
- a tightening member such as a plastic tape 39.
- the outermost surface of fiber-optic cable 32 of the present embodiment is constituted by a plastic tape 39 only. The use of a sheath 28 is thus obviated, by contrast with the known fiber-optic cables 10.
- the fiber-optic cord 37 used in the fiber-optic cable 32 of the present invention has a known structure.
- an optical fiber is first covered with a nylon layer or a UV-hardened resin layer to form a unitary wire, and this unitary wire is defined as a fiber-optic wire.
- FIG. 6 shows a transversal cross-section of, for example, a nylon fiber-optic wire.
- the latter includes an optical fiber 44 made of quartz glass, a silicone resin layer 45 surrounding the optical fiber 44, and a nylon coating 46 surrounding the silicone resin layer 45.
- the fiber-optic cord 37 used in the invention includes a fiber-optic wire 40 such as a nylon or "UV" fiber-optic wire as an optical fiber.
- the fiber-optic cord 37 includes a buffer material layer 41 made of aramide fibers or the like, surrounding the fiber-optic wire 40, and a coating 42 made of PVC or PE surrounding the buffer material layer 41.
- the interposition members 38 used in the fiber-optic cable 32 of the invention are made of PP yarns or PVC threads, as in the prior art.
- Each communications cable for data transmission 33 may comprise four pairs of twin-wire strands 48, as in the known configurations.
- Each twin-wire strand is composed by twisting a pair of electrical wires 51 respectively comprising a conductive element 49 such as copper, and an insulating coating 50 such as PE resin surrounding the conductive element 49.
- These four pairs of twin-wire strands 48 are placed together over their length and packed by a plastic tape 52 to form a twin-type communications cable for data transmission 33.
- the plastic tape 52 forms the outermost layer. There is therefore no need for the sheath 16 such as used in the prior art communications cables 17.
- the complex cable 31 incorporating a fiber-optic cable 32 and six pairs of twin-type communications cables for data transmission 33 has an external diameter of about 15 mm.
- the plastic tapes 34, 39 and 52 used in the present invention must exhibit adequate flexibility, especially in their thickness direction. This property is obtained by using a tape made of a PET or PE resin.
- the complex cable 31 of the invention may be manufactured, e.g. as follows.
- a fiber-optic cable 32 is drawn continuously from a fiber-optic cable feed drum 54, while a plurality of communications cables for data transmission 33 are also continuously drawn from corresponding communications cable feed drums 55.
- the fiber-optic cable 32 and the communications cables 33 are disposed in substantially parallel relation to one another over their length. They are stranded at a given pitch and loosely wound with a plastic tape 34 continuously supplied from a tape feed mechanism 56.
- the complex cable 31 of the invention is thus continuously manufactured and reeled around a coiling drum 57.
- a fiber-optic cable 32 and a plurality of communications cables for data transmission 33 are placed together to form a single complex cable 31.
- under-floor cable-transformation or conditioning processes become less costly. Consequently, the number of wiring steps is reduced, and wiring costs are lowered.
- the fiber-optic cable 32 and the communications cables for data transmission 33 there is no sheath on the fiber-optic cable 32 and the communications cables for data transmission 33 according to the invention. Accordingly, the manufacturing costs of cables are lowered. Likewise, the complex cables of the invention are lighter and their diameter is smaller.
- the inventive complex cable 31 incorporates a fiber-optic cable 32 and communications cables for data transmission 33, its outer diameter can be maintained substantially as small as the known communications cable units 9. Even if only limited wiring paths are available under an office floor, both a fiber-optic cable 32 and a plurality of communications cables for data transmission 33 can be wired properly, without any difficulty. Accordingly, a greater quantity of information can be transmitted with the same wiring space as before.
- a fiber-optic cord 37 and an interposition member 38 are alternatingly arranged and packed with a plastic tape 39 to form a fiber-optic cable 32.
- a fiber-optic cable 32 Around this fiber-optic cable 32 are then arranged a plurality of communications cables 33 packed with a plastic tape 52. All cables are then packed further with a plastic tape 34.
- the lateral stress exerted on the inventive complex cable 31 is buffered by surrounding communications cables for data transmission 33, and by the plastic tapes 34, 39 and 52. Therefore, each fiber-optic cord 37 is prevented from receiving direct lateral stress, and the increase of transmission loss due to such stress is efficiently avoided.
- the fiber-optic cable 32 contains fiber-optic cords 37 as optical passage means.
- fiber-optic wires 40 such as shown in FIG. 6 may also be used in place of the fiber-optic cords 37.
- a taped twin-axial fiber-optic wire 59 (FIG. 7), a taped quadruple-axial fiber-optic wire 60 (FIG. 8) or a taped cord 61 of the taped quadruple-axial fiber-optic wire (FIG. 9) may also be used.
- a taped twin-axial fiber-optic wire 59 comprises two optical fibers 63 made of quartz glass, a UV-hardened colored resin layer 64 surrounding each of the optical fibers, and a UV-hardened outermost resin layer 65 surrounding the UV-hardened colored resin layer 64.
- the taped quadruple-axial optic wire 60 may comprise four optical fibers 63, a UV-hardened colored resin layer 64 surrounding each of the optical fibers 63, and a UV-hardened outermost resin layer 65 surrounding the latter.
- the taped cord 61 may have a structure in which a taped quadruple-axial fiber-optic wire 60 is covered with a buffer material layer 67 made of aramide resin, and further with a coating 68 made of PVC or PE.
- the complex cable according to the invention allows to use various forms of optical fibers including a multiple-axial fiber-optic wire. As a result, a greater quantity of information can be transmitted.
- a most suitable form can be chosen arbitrarily as a function of the intended purpose.
- the outermost layer of fiber-optic cable 32 is a wound plastic tape 39.
- the plastic tape may be wound not just in the circumferential direction of the cable 32, but also stretched along the length direction thereof.
- the plastic tapes 34, 39 and 52 used may be non-adhesive tapes, but this is not a restriction. They may also be adhesive tapes.
- the inventive complex cable may use a plastic tape 39 as a tightening member.
- a taping cloth may also be used for the same purpose.
- the fiber-optic cable 32 contains a tension member 36. It may be stretched along the length direction of the fiber-optic cable 32.
- the tension member 36 may also have an assembled and/or stranded structure. However, in under-floor wiring, the use of tension member 36 is not always required.
- the fiber-optic cable comprises a plurality of fiber-optic cords and a tightening member assembling the fiber-optic cords, while the communications cables for data transmission respectively comprise a plurality of twin-wire strands and a plastic tape assembling the twin-wire strands.
- the fiber-optic cable is then surrounded by the plurality of communications cables for data transmission in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the fiber-optic cable.
- the fiber-optic cable and the plurality of communications cables for data transmission are assembled by a plastic tape.
- the fiber-optic cable and the plurality of communications cables for data transmission are thus placed together and form a single complex cable.
- the fiber-optic cable and the communications cables do not contain a sheath as used in the past. Consequently, their manufacturing cost is reduced, and their weight is lessened. In addition, their external diameter becomes smaller. As a result, although the fiber-optic cable and the communications cables are put together, the outer diameter of a complex cable assembling them can be maintained reasonably small. Accordingly, even in an office floor lacking the space for wiring paths, a fiber-optic cable and a plurality of communications cables can be installed simultaneously and easily. Consequently, a greater volume of data can be transmitted with the same wiring space as before.
- the sheath layers are omitted from the fiber-optic cable and the communications cables. Accordingly, when a thermal shrinkage is generated, the plastic tape shrinks mainly in the radial direction of the complex cable, rather than in its length direction. As a result, the formation of micro-vents in the optical fibers is efficiently prevented, and the transmission loss ceases to increase.
- the tightening members comprise a plastic tape
- the fiber-optic cable includes at least one interposition member provided in substantially parallel relation to the optical fibers.
- the optical fibers and the at least one interposition member can thus be easily packed by the plastic tape.
- the lateral stress exerted on the complex cable is buffered by the surrounding communications cables and plastic tapes, so that each optical fiber receives less lateral pressure directly. The transmission loss is thus prevented from increasing.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Insulated Conductors (AREA)
- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
- Communication Cables (AREA)
Abstract
A complex cable for under-floor wiring (31) can be wired in restricted
spacious office floors and lowers installation costs. The complex cable (31)
comprises an fiber-optic cable (32) and a plurality of communications cables
for data transmission (33). The fiber-optic cable (32) comprises a plurality of
fiber-optic cords (37), a plurality of interposition members (38) and a first
tightening member (39) assembling them all from outside. The
communications cables (33) comprise respectively a plurality of twin-wire
strands (48) and a second tightening member (52) assembling them from
outside. The fiber-optic cable (32) is surrounded by a plurality of
communications cables (33) in parallel relation to one another over the length
of the fiber-optic cable (32). The fiber-optic cable (32) and the
communications cables (33) are further packed by a third tightening member
(34).
Description
- The present invention relates to a complex cable adapted for being wired under office floors, building floors or the like. The complex cable of the invention is an improved version of the data-transmission cables known in the prior art and used in under-floor wiring.
- Recently, offices have become the main target for applying automation technologies, the so-called "office automation" technologies. In offices, the floors have to be designed so as to provide wiring spaces. The base floors of offices are often covered with panels of a given thickness and tile carpets. These panels and tile carpets are arranged side-by-side and head-to-tail, and form a "double-floor structure". The system of this construction is often called a "free access floor system".
- The panel described above may be a floor panel 1 having a square shape (viewed from the top) with a given thickness, as shown in FIG. 1. This floor panel 1 may be defined by crossing channel portions 4 so as to form, for example, four unitary panel portions 2 having a substantially square shape and integrally bonded to each other via
link portions 3. Each of the channel portions 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and a given width, and runs between two unitary panel portions 2. The channel portion 4 can thus serve as wiring paths. - Further, the upper longitudinal side of the channel portions 4, corresponding to the upper side lines of unitary panel portions 2, are provided with
steps 5. The channel portions 4 may then be covered with rectangular trench covers 6 or cross-like trench covers 7 by using thesteps 5 as rests, so that the top openings of channel portions 4 can be closed. - A floor panel 1 thus formed defines a square (viewed from the top) and the flat floor surface comprises a plurality of unitary panel portions 2 and a plurality of trench covers 6 and 7. A plurality of floor panels 1 are assembled in turn side-by-side and head-to-tail, so that the channel portions 4 extend continuously in crossed directions and form extended channel portions 8. Various kinds of cables may be wired through the channel portions 8. They include
communications cable units 9 respectively incorporating a plurality of communications cables for data transmission, fiber-optic cables 10 (FIG. 3), electric source cables or the like. - FIG. 2 shows a type of
communications cable unit 9 containing a plurality of data transmission cables, e.g. twin-typedata transmission cables 17. Such twin-typedata transmission cables 17 are manufactured as follows. There is first provided anelectrical wire 13 consisting of aconductive element 11 such as copper, and secondly aninsulating coating 12 made of polyethylene (PE) or the like surrounding theconductive element 11. A pair ofelectrical wires 13 prepared in this way is twisted to form a twin-wire strand 14. Four pairs of twin-wire strands 14 are then wrapped with aplastic tape 15 made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PE. The wrapped twin-wire strands 14 are subsequently coated with asheath 16 made of poly (vinylchloride), i.e. PVC, or the like. - The
communications cable unit 9 also comprises aninterposition member 18 extending along its axial center line. Theinterposition member 18 is then surrounded by six groups of such twin-typedata transmission cables 17 in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the member. Subsequently, theinterposition member 18 and the twin-typedata transmission cables 17 are packed with aplastic tape 19 to yield acommunications cable unit 9 having an outer diameter of around 15 mm. - The
communications cable units 9 described above are often used for short distance communications, e.g. on a one-conductor one-circuit basis. The system is particularly suited for the communications in a same office or building. - By comparison, FIG. 3 shows a known fiber-
optic cable 10 which contains inter alia a pair of fiber-optic cords 24. To prepare a fiber-optic cord 24, optical fibers are first covered with a nylon or UV-hardened resin layer, to form a fiber-optic wire 21. The fiber-optic cord 24 comprises a fiber-optic wire 21 thus prepared, abuffer material layer 22 made of aramide fibers, surrounding the fiber-optic wire 21, and a coating made of PVC, surrounding thebuffer material layer 22. In addition to the fiber-optic cords 24, the fiber-optic cable 10 contains atension member 26 extending along its axial center line, as well as a pair ofinterposition members 25 made of PP yarns or PVC threads. In this construction, thetension member 26 is surrounded by the pair of fiber-optic cords 24 and the pair ofinterposition members 25 in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the member. They are then wrapped with ataping cloth 27. The outer circular surface oftaping cloth 27 is further covered with asheath 28 made of PVC or the like, to give an outer diameter of about 10 mm. - The fiber-
optic cables 10 are commonly used for long distance communications, for example, on a one-fiber multiple-transmission basis. The system is particularly suitable for the communications between companies, or between head office and its branch offices. - Thereafter, the
communications cable units 9 and the fiber-optic cables 10 are wired independently through different process steps. This known wiring process therefore requires many process steps and increases installation costs. - Furthermore, to wire them as separate cables, a larger space is required. However, some office floors may not be able to ensure enough space for such a wiring process.
- If such is the case, an
optical cable 10 can be forcibly wired while a wire path has not enough space and theoptical cable 10 receives a lateral stress. This lateral stress usually causes a transmission loss. - An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a complex communications cable for under-floor wiring which incorporates data transmission cables and fiber-optic cables. By virtue of this construction, offices may be wired easily, even if their office floors provide little space. This advantage may reduce installation costs.
- To this end, there is provided a complex cable for under-floor wiring incorporating at least one fiber-optic cable and a plurality of communications cables for data transmission. The fiber-optic cable comprises at least one fiber-optic wire and a first tightening member assembling the at least one fiber-optic wire. The plurality of communications cables for data transmission respectively comprise at least one twin-wire strand and a second tightening member assembling the at least one twin-wire strand. The at least one fiber-optic cable is surrounded by the plurality of communications cables for data transmission in a substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable and the plurality of communications cables for data transmission are then assembled by a third tightening member.
- Preferably, the at least one fiber-optic cable includes at least one interposition member provided in a substantially parallel relation over the length of the at least one fiber-optic wire, and the at least one fiber-optic wire and the at least one interposition member are assembled by the first tightening member.
- The above-mentioned first, second and third tightening members may respectively comprise a plastic tape.
- Typically, the at least one fiber-optic wire comprises one optical fiber as a core optical element, but it may comprise also a plurality of optical fibers.
- The above and the other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a floor panel used in the prior art for under-floor wiring;
- FIG. 2 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a communications cable unit known in the prior art;
- FIG. 3 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a fiber-optic cable known in the prior art;
- FIG. 4 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a complex cable for under-floor wiring according to an embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 5 schematically shows a process for the manufacture of the complex cable for under-floor wiring of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a fiber-optic wire;
- FIG. 7 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a taped, twin axial fiber-optic wire;
- FIG. 8 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a taped, quadruple axial fiber-optic wire; and
- FIG. 9 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a taped cord of the taped quadruple axial fiber-optic wire of FIG. 8.
-
- FIG. 4 is a transversal cross-sectional view of a
complex cable 31 for under-floor wiring according to a first embodiment of the invention. Thecomplex cable 31 first comprises a fiber-optic cable 32 along its axial zone. The fiber-optic cable 32 is then surrounded by a plurality of communications cables for data transmission 33 (6 groups in the present embodiment) in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of thecable 32. All the cables are then packed with aplastic tape 34 made of PET or PE. The entirety of the fiber-optic cable 32 and communications cables fordata transmission 33 forms a single unit ofcomplex cable 31 in accordance with the invention. - As described above with reference to the prior art, the fiber-
optic cable 32 comprises atension member 36 at its axial zone. The latter is surrounded by a pair of fiber-optic cords 37 and a pair ofinterposition members 38, eachcord 37 and eachmember 38 alternating, in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of thetension member 36. All of the members and cords are then integrally packed with a tightening member such as aplastic tape 39. As can be seen - and by contrast with the prior art - the outermost surface of fiber-optic cable 32 of the present embodiment is constituted by aplastic tape 39 only. The use of asheath 28 is thus obviated, by contrast with the known fiber-optic cables 10. - The fiber-
optic cord 37 used in the fiber-optic cable 32 of the present invention has a known structure. In this structure, an optical fiber is first covered with a nylon layer or a UV-hardened resin layer to form a unitary wire, and this unitary wire is defined as a fiber-optic wire. FIG. 6 shows a transversal cross-section of, for example, a nylon fiber-optic wire. The latter includes anoptical fiber 44 made of quartz glass, asilicone resin layer 45 surrounding theoptical fiber 44, and anylon coating 46 surrounding thesilicone resin layer 45. The fiber-optic cord 37 used in the invention includes a fiber-optic wire 40 such as a nylon or "UV" fiber-optic wire as an optical fiber. In addition, the fiber-optic cord 37 includes abuffer material layer 41 made of aramide fibers or the like, surrounding the fiber-optic wire 40, and acoating 42 made of PVC or PE surrounding thebuffer material layer 41. Theinterposition members 38 used in the fiber-optic cable 32 of the invention are made of PP yarns or PVC threads, as in the prior art. - Each communications cable for
data transmission 33 may comprise four pairs of twin-wire strands 48, as in the known configurations. Each twin-wire strand is composed by twisting a pair ofelectrical wires 51 respectively comprising aconductive element 49 such as copper, and an insulatingcoating 50 such as PE resin surrounding theconductive element 49. These four pairs of twin-wire strands 48 are placed together over their length and packed by aplastic tape 52 to form a twin-type communications cable fordata transmission 33. In thecommunications cable 33 used in the inventivecomplex cable 31, theplastic tape 52 forms the outermost layer. There is therefore no need for thesheath 16 such as used in the priorart communications cables 17. - The
complex cable 31 incorporating a fiber-optic cable 32 and six pairs of twin-type communications cables fordata transmission 33 has an external diameter of about 15 mm. - The
plastic tapes - As shown schematically in FIG.5, the
complex cable 31 of the invention may be manufactured, e.g. as follows. A fiber-optic cable 32 is drawn continuously from a fiber-opticcable feed drum 54, while a plurality of communications cables fordata transmission 33 are also continuously drawn from corresponding communications cable feed drums 55. In this manner, the fiber-optic cable 32 and thecommunications cables 33 are disposed in substantially parallel relation to one another over their length. They are stranded at a given pitch and loosely wound with aplastic tape 34 continuously supplied from atape feed mechanism 56. Thecomplex cable 31 of the invention is thus continuously manufactured and reeled around a coilingdrum 57. - According to the present invention, a fiber-
optic cable 32 and a plurality of communications cables fordata transmission 33 are placed together to form a singlecomplex cable 31. By virtue of this structure, under-floor cable-transformation or conditioning processes become less costly. Consequently, the number of wiring steps is reduced, and wiring costs are lowered. - Further, there is no sheath on the fiber-
optic cable 32 and the communications cables fordata transmission 33 according to the invention. Accordingly, the manufacturing costs of cables are lowered. Likewise, the complex cables of the invention are lighter and their diameter is smaller. For instance, although the inventivecomplex cable 31 incorporates a fiber-optic cable 32 and communications cables fordata transmission 33, its outer diameter can be maintained substantially as small as the knowncommunications cable units 9. Even if only limited wiring paths are available under an office floor, both a fiber-optic cable 32 and a plurality of communications cables fordata transmission 33 can be wired properly, without any difficulty. Accordingly, a greater quantity of information can be transmitted with the same wiring space as before. - As described supra, a fiber-
optic cord 37 and aninterposition member 38 are alternatingly arranged and packed with aplastic tape 39 to form a fiber-optic cable 32. Around this fiber-optic cable 32 are then arranged a plurality ofcommunications cables 33 packed with aplastic tape 52. All cables are then packed further with aplastic tape 34. In this structure, the lateral stress exerted on the inventivecomplex cable 31 is buffered by surrounding communications cables fordata transmission 33, and by theplastic tapes optic cord 37 is prevented from receiving direct lateral stress, and the increase of transmission loss due to such stress is efficiently avoided. - Further, there is no sheath in the complex cable structure of the present invention. Accordingly, when thermal shrinkage is formed on the
plastic tapes complex cable 31, rather than along its length direction. Therefore, the formation of micro-vents in the fiber-optic wire 40 is efficiently prevented. The transmission loss can thus be further reduced. - In the above embodiment, the fiber-
optic cable 32 contains fiber-optic cords 37 as optical passage means. However, fiber-optic wires 40 such as shown in FIG. 6 may also be used in place of the fiber-optic cords 37. Further, a taped twin-axial fiber-optic wire 59 (FIG. 7), a taped quadruple-axial fiber-optic wire 60 (FIG. 8) or a tapedcord 61 of the taped quadruple-axial fiber-optic wire (FIG. 9) may also be used. - Typically, a taped twin-axial fiber-
optic wire 59 comprises twooptical fibers 63 made of quartz glass, a UV-hardenedcolored resin layer 64 surrounding each of the optical fibers, and a UV-hardenedoutermost resin layer 65 surrounding the UV-hardenedcolored resin layer 64. Likewise, the taped quadruple-axial optic wire 60 may comprise fouroptical fibers 63, a UV-hardenedcolored resin layer 64 surrounding each of theoptical fibers 63, and a UV-hardenedoutermost resin layer 65 surrounding the latter. - The taped
cord 61 may have a structure in which a taped quadruple-axial fiber-optic wire 60 is covered with abuffer material layer 67 made of aramide resin, and further with acoating 68 made of PVC or PE. - When such a taped multi-axial optic wire is used instead of a fiber-
optic cord 37, not only the above twin- or quadruple- axial fiber-optic wire, but also any fiber-optic wire having a greater axis number may be used, insofar as the external diameter of fiber-optic cable 32 is contained at around 6 mm. Therefore, the complex cable according to the invention allows to use various forms of optical fibers including a multiple-axial fiber-optic wire. As a result, a greater quantity of information can be transmitted. Moreover, as various forms of optical fibers can be used, a most suitable form can be chosen arbitrarily as a function of the intended purpose. - In the above embodiment, the outermost layer of fiber-
optic cable 32 is a woundplastic tape 39. In this case, the plastic tape may be wound not just in the circumferential direction of thecable 32, but also stretched along the length direction thereof. Theplastic tapes - The inventive complex cable may use a
plastic tape 39 as a tightening member. A taping cloth may also be used for the same purpose. - In the above embodiment, the fiber-
optic cable 32 contains atension member 36. It may be stretched along the length direction of the fiber-optic cable 32. Thetension member 36 may also have an assembled and/or stranded structure. However, in under-floor wiring, the use oftension member 36 is not always required. - According to the complex cable for under-floor wiring of the invention, the fiber-optic cable comprises a plurality of fiber-optic cords and a tightening member assembling the fiber-optic cords, while the communications cables for data transmission respectively comprise a plurality of twin-wire strands and a plastic tape assembling the twin-wire strands. The fiber-optic cable is then surrounded by the plurality of communications cables for data transmission in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the fiber-optic cable. Subsequently, the fiber-optic cable and the plurality of communications cables for data transmission are assembled by a plastic tape. The fiber-optic cable and the plurality of communications cables for data transmission are thus placed together and form a single complex cable. As a result, when carrying out under-floor wiring, the cable transformation cost is reduced, and the wiring process steps are simplified. As a consequence, the overall wiring cost is lowered.
- Moreover, the fiber-optic cable and the communications cables do not contain a sheath as used in the past. Consequently, their manufacturing cost is reduced, and their weight is lessened. In addition, their external diameter becomes smaller. As a result, although the fiber-optic cable and the communications cables are put together, the outer diameter of a complex cable assembling them can be maintained reasonably small. Accordingly, even in an office floor lacking the space for wiring paths, a fiber-optic cable and a plurality of communications cables can be installed simultaneously and easily. Consequently, a greater volume of data can be transmitted with the same wiring space as before.
- As mentioned supra, the sheath layers are omitted from the fiber-optic cable and the communications cables. Accordingly, when a thermal shrinkage is generated, the plastic tape shrinks mainly in the radial direction of the complex cable, rather than in its length direction. As a result, the formation of micro-vents in the optical fibers is efficiently prevented, and the transmission loss ceases to increase.
- Further, the tightening members comprise a plastic tape, and the fiber-optic cable includes at least one interposition member provided in substantially parallel relation to the optical fibers. The optical fibers and the at least one interposition member can thus be easily packed by the plastic tape. In this structure, the lateral stress exerted on the complex cable is buffered by the surrounding communications cables and plastic tapes, so that each optical fiber receives less lateral pressure directly. The transmission loss is thus prevented from increasing.
Claims (4)
- A complex cable for under-floor wiring (31), characterised by incorporating at least one fiber-optic cable (32) and a plurality of communications cables for data transmission (33), said at least one fiber-optic cable (32) comprising at least one fiber-optic wire (40) and a first tightening member (39) assembling said at least one fiber-optic wire (40), said plurality of communications cables for data transmission (33) respectively comprising at least one twin-wire strand (48) and a second tightening member (52) assembling said at least one twin-wire strand (48), said at least one fiber-optic cable (32) being surrounded by said plurality of communications cables for data transmission (33) in a substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of said at least one fiber-optic cable (32), said at least one fiber-optic cable (32) and said plurality of communications cables for data transmission (33) being assembled by a third tightening member (34).
- The complex cable for under-floor wiring (31) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fiber-optic cable (32) includes at least one interposition member (38) provided in a substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of said at least one fiber-optic wire (40) and said at least one fiber-optic wire (40) and said at least one interposition member (38) are assembled by said first tightening member (39).
- The complex cable for under-floor wiring (31) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first, second and third tightening members (39, 52 and 34) respectively comprise a plastic tape.
- The complex cable for under-floor wiring according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one fiber-optic wire comprises at least one optical fiber.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP1953499 | 1999-01-28 | ||
JP11019534A JP2000221372A (en) | 1999-01-28 | 1999-01-28 | Composite cable for under-floor wiring |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1024383A1 true EP1024383A1 (en) | 2000-08-02 |
Family
ID=12002007
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00400218A Withdrawn EP1024383A1 (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2000-01-28 | Complex cables for under-floor wiring |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6415084B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1024383A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000221372A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN102646478A (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2012-08-22 | 浙江中天电线电缆有限公司 | ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) 64-core cable for data communication |
Families Citing this family (9)
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DE50011857D1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2006-01-19 | Nexans | Optical cable |
JP2002199388A (en) * | 2000-12-25 | 2002-07-12 | Canon Inc | X-ray image photographing device |
US7027697B2 (en) * | 2001-12-28 | 2006-04-11 | Pirelli Communications Cables And Systems Usa, Llc | Cable having conduits for receiving optical fibers |
JP5320085B2 (en) * | 2009-01-20 | 2013-10-23 | 旭化成イーマテリアルズ株式会社 | Image fiber cable and manufacturing method thereof |
CN101866719A (en) * | 2010-06-17 | 2010-10-20 | 吴江市胜信光电科技有限公司 | Photovoltaic composite data cable for integrated building wiring |
US8285095B2 (en) * | 2010-07-06 | 2012-10-09 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Optical-electrical hybrid transmission cable |
CN203325542U (en) * | 2013-04-11 | 2013-12-04 | 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 | Cable |
JP6258058B2 (en) * | 2014-02-10 | 2018-01-10 | タツタ電線株式会社 | Composite interposer type electric wire |
JP6834750B2 (en) * | 2017-04-26 | 2021-02-24 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Manufacturing method of optoelectric composite cable and optoelectric composite cable |
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DE3522694A1 (en) * | 1985-06-25 | 1987-01-08 | Kabelmetal Electro Gmbh | Cable for the transmission of signals |
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US5046815A (en) * | 1990-05-17 | 1991-09-10 | Corning Incorporated | Optical fiber cabling |
US5039195A (en) * | 1990-05-29 | 1991-08-13 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Composite cable including portions having controlled flexural rigidities |
US5268971A (en) * | 1991-11-07 | 1993-12-07 | Alcatel Na Cable Systems, Inc. | Optical fiber/metallic conductor composite cable |
US5940962A (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1999-08-24 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Wire harness bundling method |
US5459804A (en) * | 1993-04-06 | 1995-10-17 | Porta Systems Corporation | Fiberoptic couplers having spacer fibers that have no optical cores |
US5659152A (en) | 1994-03-14 | 1997-08-19 | The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Communication cable |
US5687271A (en) | 1994-03-15 | 1997-11-11 | Mario Rabinowitz | Shielded fiber optics cable for compatibility with high voltage power lines |
US5418878A (en) * | 1994-05-09 | 1995-05-23 | Metropolitan Communication Authority, Inc. | Multi-mode communications cable having a coaxial cable with twisted electrical conductors and optical fibers |
US5574250A (en) | 1995-02-03 | 1996-11-12 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | Multiple differential pair cable |
JPH08329745A (en) | 1995-06-06 | 1996-12-13 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The | Optical fiber composite overhead wire |
-
1999
- 1999-01-28 JP JP11019534A patent/JP2000221372A/en active Pending
-
2000
- 2000-01-28 EP EP00400218A patent/EP1024383A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-01-28 US US09/493,678 patent/US6415084B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
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DE3522694A1 (en) * | 1985-06-25 | 1987-01-08 | Kabelmetal Electro Gmbh | Cable for the transmission of signals |
US5668912A (en) * | 1996-02-07 | 1997-09-16 | Alcatel Na Cable Systems, Inc. | Rectangular optical fiber cable |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102646478A (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2012-08-22 | 浙江中天电线电缆有限公司 | ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) 64-core cable for data communication |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2000221372A (en) | 2000-08-11 |
US6415084B1 (en) | 2002-07-02 |
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